Are Two-Year Colleges Better for the Next Generation?

Response to Are Two-Year Colleges Better for the Next Generation?

For this article, I did a line by line thought process.

Where does this “hate” come from? Is it a matter or love or hate when it comes to higher education? If one “hates” school then one could deduce that one hates learning.

In my opinion college degrees do not assure a job. It assures that you are qualified for a job within your field if said job is available and more so it is proof you have the ability to acquire knowledge and/or skill (you can learn).  Learning is not solely for the purpose of getting work. It is also helpful when navigating the world around you. Believe it or not higher education can help you better deal with customer service , your cell phone provider, understanding your energy bills, dealing with other parents on the PTA and simply having a fruitful conversation with your friends, co-workers, significant others and your boss.

Moving home because you cannot afford to take care of yourself has nothing to do with Higher Education and everything to do with the economy and the availability of jobs in one’s field.

Ok perhaps it will “largely” benefit middle-to-high income borrowers but lower income will not be completely left behind. In most plans there will be a group who will largely benefit.

Technical degrees are great if you have the talent, and desire for a technical job. If you want to be a teacher, a Professor, or  Counselor  you will need a bachelor’s degree. Now, a two year school is a great start. It is more affordable and therefore you will have less loans to payback as you will only spend two additional years in a four year university. So it is a very useful stepping stone.

Once again, it is a useful stepping stone. If you are uncertain of what you would like to do in the long term, using a two year college to figure it out  is very wise.

Two year colleges are not only about skilled jobs. You can earn AS, AA., AAS and AAB to name a few. It’s not just about Electricians, Mechanics and Nurses.

What are these “general skills” they speak of? Could they be: Influencing and persuading, Writing and oral communication skills, Synthesizing information, critical thinking, Working with others, Managing information etc? Oh yes these are so over-rated for employers.